CDC / IUHPE - International Course on Physical Activity & Public Health

Description and guidelines: (February, 2006)

I. Goal

To provide background information and training for the development of national, state, and regional programs for promoting physical activity for public health purposes in a standardized high quality format, supported by international organizations and faculty and tailored to local needs.

The overarching focus of these courses is on building capacity for those taking public health approaches and population-wide efforts rather than focusing on clinical settings alone for promoting physical activity. This includes professionals working in the health sector, but also those working across sectors, NGOs and agencies, where a part of the work is physical activity in a public health context.

II. General Objectives or 'Core' themes

  1. Introduction to physical activity and public health (PAPH), public health and health promotion frameworks; working at the population level
  2. The evidence base for physical activity and public health
  3. Interventions to promote physical activity across setting and population groups - from evidence to practice
  4. Measurement of physical activity; population and national level surveillance

III. Specific Objectives

  1. Elaborate a policy and programmatic framework for population-based physical activity promotion
  2. Review the scientific, public health, and public policy bases for addressing physical inactivity
  3. Review the principles, strengths, and weaknesses of physical activity measurement and assessment, population-based surveillance
  4. Understand the elements of program evaluation and research
  5. Identify settings for promoting physical activity and the evidence for effectiveness in those settings
  6. Provide practical training in each of the key steps in developing a public health program for promoting physical activity
  7. Discuss program implementation and present successful case studies
  8. Stimulate follow-up training in the countries and regions in which the course is held
  9. Explicitly support and link to existing physical activity promotion networks and stimulate the formation of physical activity networks where they do not already exist.

Course Faculty

Core International Faculty

Faculty Advisory Committee

Local Faculty

Local Course Director and one or more guest lecturers. Faculty are selected on the basis of their ability to teach multiple elements of the curriculum, past experience with CDC national and international training courses, and availability to participate in at least one course per year.

Partner Organisations

To be determined on a case by case basis - local or international partners may include ACSM, WHO, PAHO, World Bank, other WHO Collaborating Centers, other NGOs, country level governments, departments or ministries, and approved potential funding organizations.

Collaborating organizations must agree to the standard course guidelines and may work with a local organizing institution to host the meeting, and may provide guest faculty.
Previous Courses:

Coordination and Funding

CDC / WHO or Core Faculty or groups will provide coordination. A Local Organizing Committee will be responsible for local site selection, local marketing of the course, recruiting and selecting participants, and assisting with local expenses. A modest course fee may be considered in some cases to assist the local organizing committee cover the costs of holding the course. Support from other partners may be solicited. The goal is to keep operating costs low and develop a sustainable model, especially to encourage participants from developing and transitional countries.